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Colorado Avalanche back in business with end of NHL lockout

Left wing Cody McLeod will have a lot to shout about when the Avs return to the ice. (John Leyba, The Denver Post)

Matt Duchene loved living in Switzerland. He lived in a nice chalet, and the chocolate and cheese were pretty good. But he couldn't wait to get out of the country.

Duchene got his wish Sunday night, boarding a plane that would connect through Milan, Italy, with a final destination of Denver. The end of the NHL lockout made such a journey possible, and for Duchene to swap his Ambri-Piotta Swiss National League team jersey for that of the Avalanche.

"It's a great day for hockey," said a relieved Duchene, one of five Avs to play for other pro teams during the 113-day lockout, which ended Sunday morning after a tentative agreement on a new 10-year collective bargaining agreement.

"I am absolutely thrilled at the chance to get to wear the Avs jersey this season. I can't wait to get out in front of our amazing fans," Duchene said.

Avalanche forward P.A. Parenteau, who signed a four-year, $18 million contract with the team during the summer, said he would arrive in Denver on Tuesday.

"I'm very exited to start my new adventure in Denver, with all the young good players they have," said Parenteau, who probably will skate on Duchene's line. "It's over. Finally."

There are a lot of unanswered questions in the aftermath of the lockout's resolution. Among them: When will the season start? How many games are there? And how good will the quality of play be when most players were not active with other teams during the lockout?

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The first two questions probably won't be answered for another couple of days or so, but the NHL season is likely to be 48 or 50 games, all within each team's conference. The season is likely to start anywhere from Jan. 15 to Jan. 20, but probably more toward the 20th.

As for the quality of play, Duchene believes those like him who had an opportunity to play for other teams during the lockout could have an advantage.

"I'm hoping it's a decent advantage. I've played 27 games already, which has been beneficial," said Duchene, who also played for a Swedish team before signing in Switzerland.

Parenteau, who worked out on his own, acknowledged sentiments such as Duchene's could prove right, but believes players will get up to speed quickly.

"I'm not too worried about the shape guys are in," he said. "But it's going to take a little bit of time for most of the guys."

Defenseman Ryan Wilson said the Avs' players haven't been told when to report to practice, but expect that memo soon after the new CBA is finalized. He has been glued to TSN, the Canadian version of ESPN.

"Talking to the guys, we're all super excited," Wilson said. "We've been champing at the bit for a long time. We've always just wanted to get back to work.

"What it sounds like is it will be a lot of conference games, a lot of divisional games, and those games are huge," Wilson said. "Every game will be that much more important."

Another unanswered question surrounding the Avs: Will Ryan O'Reilly be with the team when camp opens? The young, versatile center remains an unsigned restricted free agent, playing for a team in Russia. O'Reilly's agent, Mark Guy, said he expected negotiations to resume immediately once teams are allowed to sign players again, but that likely won't happen until Tuesday at the earliest because the CBA still needs to be ratified by the NHL's players and board of governors.

A fan expressed his opinion about the NHL lockout while the Charlotte Checkers played the Norfolk Admirals in an American Hockey League game Sunday at PNC Arena in Raleigh, N.C. (Chris Seward , Raleigh News & Observer)

Avalanche executive adviser Joe Sakic is likely to represent his team at the board of governors meeting in New York on Tuesday. The franchise's all-time leading scorer recently said he believes the Avs are ready to be a playoff team again.

"We're expecting big things from this group now. It's a young team, but it's an experienced young team that needs to make the next step now," Sakic said. "They made the big push last year, but it's not like the last 10 games were great. So now, it's come back and get to the next level. And they should be able to do that."

Where have the Avs' players been? Most spent the lockout unemployed, working out on their own. But six spent time playing for other pro teams. Matt Duchene played for teams in Sweden and Switzerland. Gabriel Landeskog (Sweden), Ryan O'Reilly and Semyon Varlamov (Russia), Paul Stastny (Germany) and Ryan O'Byrne (Florida, for a minor-pro team) found work too.

Free agents still unsigned: O'Reilly remains an unsigned restricted free agent. Negotiations toward a new contract are expected to happen when the CBA is ratified, but previous differences over salary could linger.

First practice: The Avs' training camp schedule hasn't been finalized. The NHL and its players still need to ratify the CBA, likely by Wednesday. Training camps are expected to open soon after, possibly as early as Friday.

First game: The Avs' season schedule, probably 48 or 50 games, hasn't been finalized. But the NHL season likely will start seven to 10 days after training camps begin. Adrian Dater, The Denver Post

NHL lockout timeline

June 29 — Bargaining begins.

July 13 — Management's initial proposal would reduce the players' share of hockey-related revenue from 57 percent to 46 percent, a figure the union later says is actually 43 percent.

Aug. 14 — Players make their first proposal, calling for lower percentage of revenue for players and increased revenue sharing among teams.

Aug. 15 — NHL rejects players' offer.

Aug. 28 — Team owners offer players 46 percent.

Sept. 12 — Players make proposal, which is immediately rejected.

Sept. 13 — Owners meet in New York and unanimously endorse decision to lock out players when the 2005-12 CBA expires Sept. 15.

Sept. 16 — Lockout begins.

Sept. 19 — NHL cancels preseason schedule through Sept. 30.

Sept. 27 — NHL cancels all preseason.

Oct. 4 — NHL cancels Oct. 11-24 games.

Oct. 16 — League makes proposal, offering to split hockey-related revenue 50-50, and says it must be accepted by Oct. 25 to preserve full schedule.

Jan. 6 — On the 113th day of the lockout, the sides reach an agreement.

The Associated Press

Facts and figures for 2013 hockey season

Key elements of the tentative NHL collective bargaining agreement:

THE PUCK DROPS HEREA 48- or 50-game regular season will start on a date to be determined and likely end in early May, followed by the full playoffs.

SPLIT OF REVENUEThe owners and players will divide hockey-related revenue 50-50, as does the NBA. Under the previous deal, players received 57 percent.

LENGTH OF CBAIt is 10 years, with a mutual option to reopen after eight years.

CONTRACT CHANGESThe term of players' contracts was unlimited. Now it is capped. A team can re-sign one of its own free agents for eight years; free agents from other clubs for seven. Salaries in individual deals cannot vary by more than 35 percent year to year.

SALARY CAPThis season, teams can spend up to a prorated $70.2 million; the 2013-14 season will be $64.3 million; the league wanted $60 million; the players wanted $65 million. The floor is $44 million.

FREE AGENCYFree agency, at age 27 or with seven years of experience, is unchanged. Entry-level contracts and salary arbitration remain unchanged.

REVENUE SHARINGAbout $200 million annually, up from $150 million, will be set aside for teams needing financial help, and the eligibility has expanded.

BUYOUTSTwo per team, starting with the 2013-14 season, and not before this June. After the 2004-05 season, teams were permitted to buy out one player and not have the money count against the cap.

DRAFT LOTTERYNo longer will the last-place team automatically receive the No. 1 selection. A weighted system will allow a chance for the other 13 teams who miss the playoffs to select first.

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